Land O Lakes, FL

When my husband and I were seriously dating we had visited a home where the mother had a regular school room set up in her home, I got very excited. I always wanted to have children and the thought of home schooling them really excited me. My husband agreed. We were married.

When our daughter was born I quit my regular full time job at a bank and came
home to raise both of our children. Now that my income was gone, my husband and I wondered what would replace my income. We were living in our modest townhome and kept our expenses low.

The Lord led us into real estate. We began learning about shortsales and worked together in the field. I then took a class and got my real estate license in 2002. This year I took another real estate class and got my Real Estate Broker's license and started my own realty, Tampa Home Buy Realty.

Amongst all that we do, we have learned what works best for us in working in our children's learning which is so very important.

In the morning, I get the kids fed and start them off with their spelling, and then onward towards literature, history, science, math and Bible study. During the day if I have showings scheduled or need to talk with customers I do that in between their lessons. It all gets done, and done well.

I am really excited at how this year is going!

Have a wonderful day of learning!

Warmly,
Stephanie LeFew
Real Estate Sold in Tampa Bay Florida
www.TampaHomeBuy.com
Awesome Realtor, at your service :)
813-624-3332

President Obama signs into law -- Current homeowner tax credit:

An existing homeowner who purchases a home may now claim a tax credit of up to $6,500. To qualify, that owner must have owned and used the same residence as a principal residence for any consecutive five-year period in the previous eight years.

· This new tax credit is effective immediately. Eligible homebuyers do not have to wait until Dec. 1 to close in order to qualify.

· Personal income limits, maximum home value, and contract/closing deadlines are the same as those for first-time homebuyers - Here is what is what is in place for First time home buyers :income limits rise to $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for married couples; up from limits effective through Nov. 30 of $75,000 for singles and $150,000 for married couples. The tax credit phases out incrementally at each $20,000 increase in income. Effective immediately: The maximum home value purchased cannot exceed $800,000. Prior to the law being signed, first-time homebuyers had no limitation on a home's cost.

Long-time Florida homeowners who enjoy discounted property taxes resulting from the state's Save Our Homes amendment qualify for property tax portability.

Considering a move up? Call me about current real estate for sale in your favorite neighborhoods.

Warmly,

Stephanie LeFew

Tampa Home Buy Realty

www.TampaHomeBuy.com

813-623-3332 cell / 813-991-1355 office

stephanie@tampahomebuy.com

Buyer Incentives Available! My Services are FREE to Buyers

First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit of 2009 has been extended into 2010.

Most details for first-time homebuyers mirror the rules currently in existence. The maximum tax credit remains $8,000 ($4,000 for married individuals filing separately), and anyone who has not owned a home within three years is considered a "first-time buyer."

· A purchase must be under contract by April 30, 2010.

· A purchase under contract by April 30 must close no later than June 30, 2010.

· After Dec. 1, 2009, income limits rise to $125,000 for singles and $225,000 for married couples; up from limits effective through Nov. 30 of $75,000 for singles and $150,000 for married couples. The tax credit phases out incrementally at each $20,000 increase in income.

· Effective immediately: The maximum home value purchased cannot exceed $800,000. Prior to the law being signed, first-time homebuyers had no limitation on a home's cost.

This is wonderful news for those that needed a little extra time in getting ready to purchase a home.

With Tampa Real Estate prices so low, as well as very favorable mortgages with low interest rates, and the extension of the Homebuyer Tax Credit, all indications are that now is the best time to take advantage of the market conditions before home prices rise.

There are also 100% Financing Available in some large areas in Tampa Bay Florida. Other options are 97 1/2% FHA Financing, as well as 100% Financing on VA Loans. Your closing costs can be rolled into your loan or paid by the seller. It's a Win Win Win situation.

Please let me know if there is any way that I can assist you in finding a home of your very own so that you can personally attain Your Dream of Home Ownership.

Give me a call on my cell phone. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Warmly,

Stephanie LeFew

www.TampaHomeBuy.com

Tampa Home Buy Realty

813-624-3332 cell phone

Tampa Realtors and Tampa Real Estate for Sale at Reduced Prices

Buyer Incentives Available AND My Services are FREE to Buyers

Real estate investors are moving back into the market, according to a recent survey --

12.1 percent of home buyers today plan to buy a home as an investment property, compared to 5.6 percent in March 2009. The survey found that 15.8 percent of those interested in investment property were men and 8.1 percent were women and 52.6 percent of the investment buyers were between ages 35 to 49.

Of the 25.3 percent of buyers who are focusing on foreclosure properties, 42 percent regard the purchase they are considering an investment and don't plan to live in the property themselves; 13.2 percent plan to rent out the property; 11.3 percent are going to fix up the property and resell it; and 17.4 percent plan to house a family member until the property can be sold profitably.

Of the 9.8 percent of buyers who say that they plan to purchase and live in a property in the next two years, 5.4 percent plan to purchase in the next 12 months; 48.3 percent are first-time buyers; 52.8 percent are women, and 44.1 percent are men.

Buyers of investment and personal property say they are motivated by these factors:

• Prices are as low as they will go, 23.6 percent.
• Foreclosure prices are a bargain, 18.7 percent.
• Great selection of homes for sale in their target community, 21.2 percent.
• Concerned interest rates will rise, 14.2 percent.

Interested in investing in the Tampa Bay Florida Real Estate? Call me so that I can let you know about the current mls listings of shortsales, bank owned homes or REOs, and new home builder inventory.

Our Services are FREE to buyers. Also Buyer Incentives are Available when you use Tampa Home Buy Realty when you purchase a home.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Warmly,

Stephanie LeFew

813-624-3332 cellular

813-991-1355 office

Tampa Home Buy Realty

Tampa Realtors and Tampa Investment Properties from fixer uppers to Luxury Waterfront

www.TampaHomeBuy.com

stephanie@tampahomebuy.com

Your options: Keep paying or try to change your loan's terms.

But some people wonder, what if I just stop paying the mortgage? It may be a tempting idea, but it quickly leads to trouble.

Here's what could happen if you don't pay the mortgage.

Credit bureau

If your payment does not arrive, your lender or servicer will report this late payment to the credit bureau by the first day of the next month. This will put a negative mark on your credit report and your credit score will drop.

The late payment report whacks your credit rating. Your credit score starts to drop, by up to 200 points, if this is your only late or missed payment.

Cards are closed, rates rise

In the next 30 days, you can expect your other creditors to notice the late mortgage payment and to take action. They can raise your interest rates, shut off your credit card entirely, or lower your credit limit. Auto insurance, student loans and other forms of credit are related to your credit score.

Tightening of credit lowers your Credit Score

Credit scores feed on themselves. If your credit card limits are lowered and you are carrying a balance, you are then using more of your available credit, something known as your utilization rate. When that goes up, it lowers your score some more.

The negative mark stays on your credit report for seven years. But the impact on your credit score lessens over time. The biggest impact is for the first two years.

Mortgage Company response

The phone will start ringing. Your lender will try to contact you, try to persuade you to go into a loan modification of some kind.

But after 90 days, you cannot just start making payments again. The lender may actually send your payment back, if you send it this late and have not been in contact.

What happens next? After a couple or more months of not paying your mortgage, you will likely be served with a foreclosure notice.

According to attorneys, if you don't respond within 20 days, then the lender, in the following 60 days, will ask a court to issue a judgment against you.

A county sale will be arranged 50 to 120 days after the judgment. Next, 120 days after the sale, the sheriff will be at the door. Ten days after that, you'll be thrown out of your home. (All time frames are approximate.)

Many things to consider.

Stephanie LeFew, Tampa Realtor
www.TampaHomeBuy.com
813-624-3332
Tampa Home Buy Realty